Uses for Aloe Vera

The Aloe Vera Plant

Uses for Aloe Vera ....

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera ...

The medicinal uses for aloe vera began since the dawn of history. Egyptian medical writings from 1500 B.C. describe the healing properties of aloe and recommended it for infections and skin problems and as a laxative. Cleopatra, who was renowned for her beauty, regarded this natural beauty aid as a fountain of youth, and used the gel to preserve her skin against the ravages of the harsh and harmful rays of the Egyptian sun.

Alexander the Great carried the aloe vera plant into battle to treat the cuts and wounds of his soldiers. The Bible makes references to aloe, and King Solomon is said to have praised its healing powers.

The Greek physician Dioscorides wrote that aloe vera was an effective treatment for an array of aliments, and it is still widely used in Africa to heal wounds and burns.

In more modern times, aloe has emerged as one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in the United States as well as much of the industrialized world.

Uses for Aloe Vera

What is it?

Aloe vera is a prickly, gray-green succulent perennial native to Africa, but cultivated around the world. It belongs to the Lily family and it has leaves that can grow up to two feet long, and it bears spikes of yellow or orange flowers.

The leaves contain two powerhouse fluids – a clear gel found in the inner portion, and a bitter yellow juice or latex found in the thick aloe skin. Therefore, it is the leaves of this succulent plant that provide the healing powers for the many uses for aloe vera.

Uses for Aloe Vera

"The Powerful Silent Healer"

The Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is used as a soothing topical remedy for minor burns, scalds, and sunburns. It also speeds the healing of cuts and other wounds.

In addition, aloe vera gel is used externally to reduce tissue damage from frostbite, to relieve psoriasis symptoms, to lessen the painful effects of shingles, to relieve pain and soothe the burning sensation of external hemorrhoids, to shrink warts, to help prevent scarring, and to relieve skin irritation and inflammation from insect bites, stings, and others. It is even regarded as one of nature's best natural moisturizers as it is often used to moisturize and soften dry, itchy, or rough skin.

The health benefits of aloe vera have powerful internal uses as well. The aloe vera juice or latex is taken internally to relieve constipation.

In addition, the aloe gel extract, or more specifically a powdered form, is sometimes used as a remedy for ulcers and to ease other intestinal problems, including diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Also, some preliminary studies are suggesting that aloe is of benefit as an immunity booster.

Other intriguing possible uses for aloe vera …

There have been reports that ingested aloe products may prove useful for the following:

To combat the HIV virus.

Treat certain types of cancer.

May play a role in managing diabetes.

However, more research is needed to confirm these intriguing possible uses for aloe vera.

Uses for Aloe Vera

Precautions

Aloe vera appears to be a safe herb with no known toxicity that we were able to locate in any literature.

However, on rare occasions, people have reported allergic skin reactions. It is recommended that you discontinue use if it causes skin redness, itching, or swelling.

Aloe bitters and aloe juice should not be taken internally during pregnancy or menstruation, or in cases of rectal bleeding.

Nursing mothers should also avoid internal use of aloe vera because the laxative compounds are passed into mother's milk.

It is highly recommended that you speak with a physician before taking products for internal use, especially aloe laxatives. Many experts point out that when taken internally, aloe juice (the bitter yellow latex) can cause severe abdominal cramps, intestinal irritation, and kidney inflammation.

In addition, anyone with a medical condition or are on any type of medications should always speak to a physician before taking any type of supplements.

It is also recommended that everyone consult with their physician before taking any dietary supplements.

Uses for Aloe Vera

Tips on Choosing an Aloe Vera Supplement or Product

Maximize the Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

1. Select your aloe vera product from only from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities. Dietary supplements are not highly regulated by FDA in the U.S. and, needless to say, many supplements harbor contaminants or do not actually contain the ingredients as proclaimed on the label.

Pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities adhere to the strictest regulatory standards for the manufacture of dietary supplements.

2. Look for aloe vera supplements that contain only standardized extracts. These are the purest extracts available, offering the highest quality active ingredients and, as such, have the best potency and efficacy.

Buyer beware that many commercial products labeled "aloe" do not contain enough aloe to promote much of any healing or any other benefits.

But, don't just take our word.

According to the well-renowned tome titled Earl Mindell's New Herb Bible written by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. who states:

"Personal Advice"

"There are many so-called aloe vera preparations on the market that contain very little of this precious herb. Some contain only a minute quantity of aloe; others contain aloe extract, or reconstituted aloe vera, water down versions that are not as beneficial as bonafide aloe gel. A true aloe product should list aloe vera as a primary ingredient (the first or second ingredient listed on the label) or state that it is 97 to 99 percent pure aloe vera."

3. Ensure that the manufacturer has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file for each batch of product produced. Put simply, this confirms the potency of the ingredients used.

5. When buying aloe vera juice products, make sure it is derived from aloe vera gel, not from aloe bitter yellow latex. Also make sure the juice product contains a minimum of 98% aloe vera and that it does not have the key substances in aloe latex - aloin or aloe-emoin compounds.

Uses for Aloe Vera

Featured Aloe Vera Product

We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre personally take a highly sophisticated comprehensive all-in-one multi-nutrient supplement for optimium 'whole' body health called Total Balance from Xtend-Life Natural Products of New Zealand. It contains over 70 specialized nutrients, including Aloe vera.

Total Balance is formulated by a highly credentialed scientific team that can blend these ingredients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, specialty nutrients, enzymes, herbal extracts, and others) perfectly to ensure maximum benefits, but as importantly that do not interact adversely. Plus, Total Balance is enteric coated to protect all of these ingredients against stomach acids and to ensure maximum bio-availability.

In addition, Total Balance adheres to strict pharmaceutical GMP compliance, which as we mentioned earlier, is the toughest in the industry.

We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre have been taking Total Balance
for several years now and can personally attest to its excellent results such as an increase in energy levels, mental clarity, and an increase feeling of well-being.

We hope this webpage discussing the uses for aloe vera was useful to you.